Home Media Magazine - April 20-26, 2008 - (Page 19)

www.homemediamagazine.com REVIEWS Harrelson) portray the zone’s defenders and read their letters and journal entries, the filmmakers infuse their movie with an almost overwhelming, riveting human perspective. There’s no propaganda, no pleas from the soapbox … just real people commenting on a world tragedy right before their eyes. Nanking is of course mandatory for history buffs and educators, but it’s also essential and enlightening viewing for pretty much everyone, as Guttentag and Sturman (Twin Towers) show that cataclysmic historical events affect average people. However, average people also can bring about positive changes. – Pete Croatto I NANKING endured an incomprehensible level of destruction and terror: 200,000 Street 4/29 ThinkFilm, Documentary, B.O. $0.2 million, $27.98 residents were killed within six weeks, DVD, ‘R’ for disturbing images and descriptions of while 20,000 rapes occurred within the first four weeks of the troops’ ocwartime atrocities, including rape. Appearances by Woody Harrelson, Mariel Heming- cupation. Outside of Asia, no one paid atway, Stephen Dorff, Jürgen Prochnow. tention, but amid the chaos was a ne of 2007’s most over- glimmer of hope. Several prominent looked films finally arrives foreign residents tried to maintain a on DVD. Though the Nan- safety zone that saved an estimated king disc has no fancy extras, a movie 250,000 lives. Co-directors Bill Guttentag and Dan of this emotional magnitude doesn’t Sturman’s stunning documentary is need them. Last December marked the 70th a brilliant educational piece. But by anniversary of the Japanese army’s interviewing Nanking residents and invasion of the then-Chinese capital Japanese soldiers, while established of Nanking. The diverse, happy city actors (including Hemingway and O I A GENERATION APART “My parents put a load on me.” Some of the grown children avoid talk of the Holocaust, Street 4/29 such as the Israeli who’s preparing for an acting role as a City Lights, Documentary, $19.95 DVD, NR. Nazi officer. Some find the stories of concentration camps Generation Apart is a family affair in every way, gripping and vibrant in a way that day-to-day life isn’t. But all these adult sons and daughters, whether they’ve admitted and a moving, poignant documentary that it or not, are different because of their parents’ horrific will touch experiences of genocide. documentary fans. It This 1984 documentary is joined on DVD by brandexplores the impact new extras, including of the Holocaust on an epilogue honoring survivors and their Esther Fisher, a direcgrown children. Its tor’s commentary with chief subjects are Jack and his dad, and a the Fisher sons: Joe, Fisher grandson’s film who is the most angry of concentration camp about his experience memories from Esther as a post-Holocaust and Alan. child; Jack, who directs the film; and Danny, who A Generation Apart is a says almost nothing in the film but whose credits must-see documentary. include editor and executive producer. It’s yet another piece The documentary opens at a Fisher family dinner of the puzzle in underand segues to a tense, awkward sit-down with the standing and coming to three Fisher boys and their parents, Esther and Alan. Jack asks questions. Esther’s answers are stepped on a bit by her terms with the Holocaust and its effects. The DVD is timed for National Holocaust Remembrance husband. Joe seems repressed, holding something back as he tries to articulate his feelings. Later, we’ll hear Joe and Day May 2, and Jewish American Heritage Month. other survivors in other families repeat the same refrain: – Brendan Howard A April 20–26, 2008 Home Media Magazine 19 http://www.homemediamagazine.com http://www.indicanpictures.com http://www.indicanpictures.com

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Home Media Magazine - April 20-26, 2008

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